The Hasaranga saga – from riches to rags
View(s):Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) does not cease to amaze. When Wanindu Hasaranga was caught showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during the Bangladesh series in March, they came up with a genius plan. Instead of letting the man face the music for his on-field antics, they asked him to come out of Test retirement to complete the punishment.
This strategic move meant he could serve out his ban during the Bangladesh Test series and selectors picked him straight into the Test side. It didn’t matter whether or not he had played red-ball cricket, as they only wanted him to be on the bench to fool the ICC which had imposed on him a four-match white-ball, or two-Test, match ban. He last played a Test in 2021.
It wasn’t just a masterstroke of strategic brilliance; it offered a hope for those who believe in bending the rules to fit convenience. It’s not every day you see a player making a triumphant return to a format he had long abandoned, all in the name of serving a suspension. One might even argue that the true essence of sportsmanship was redefined with this move.
Hasaranga's on field antics included a verbal clash with match officials
It was as if the selectors had suddenly seen the immense value of Hasaranga’s experience. Or perhaps they just needed to tick a box. Either way, his inclusion was nothing short of miraculous. This bold decision allowed them to comfortably clear his path to the T20 World Cup. Hasaranga is a decent T20 cricketer, no doubt. But his lack of discipline leaves many wondering whether he is the leader Sri Lanka needed at a time when the going is tough for the players.
Today, there’s great public resentment about his leadership and conduct on and off the field. Those who cheered his on-field exploits are now humiliating the man in public.
Strolling onto the field without tucking in his shirt for Sri Lanka’s game against South Africa during the World Cup–with no respect to the traditions of the gentleman’s game, as it is called–showed his lack of respect. His interaction with media on arrival in the island proved that he thinks he is bigger than the sport that gave him everything, including the money and fame he currently enjoys.
His “exemplary behaviour” is also on show during the Lanka Premier League, where he leads the Kandy Falcons. No other skipper has had the honour of being booed by spectators, but Hasaranga managed to achieve this feat. “Wanindu oya lokukama ballekuta danna” or “Wanindu leave that ego aside”, shouted a spectator when Hasaranga was fielding at the boundary line.
On Tuesday, he was spotted scolding a young player for failing to stop a boundary off his bowling. Nothing builds team morale quite like being humiliated by your captain.
His animated reaction after taking wickets has also become a talking point. Hasaranga never captained his school, Richmond College. There must be a reason for that. Anyone can be a captain but only a few can be a leader. Hasaranga is proving himself unfit for the job.
And who can forget his physical condition? With skin-fold levels exceeding 100, Hasaranga is hardly the poster boy for athletic excellence. Clearly, his fitness regime is something to be envied.
Former Sri Lanka Cricket president Thilanga Sumathipala has rightly criticised the current selection committee, calling their decision to appoint three skippers ‘absurd’ and a key reason for the team’s collapse. He pointed out the absurdity of having three skippers for the Test, ODI and T20I teams, all playing in the same XI.
“How can anyone with an ounce of brains justify playing captains from all formats in the same XI?” he questioned.
“If a player is made skipper for one format, it’s because his skills are tailored to that format. So how can all three captains feature in one format at the same time? This is utter chaos.”
Sumathipala’s comments are a breath of fresh air in this circus. His criticism of the current selection committee highlights the baffling decisions that have led to the team’s downfall. The sheer absurdity of fielding three different skippers for the Test, ODI, and T20I teams in the same XI is beyond comprehension. Sumathipala’s pointed questions about this bizarre strategy resonate with anyone who possesses an iota of common sense.
Sumathipala’s assertion that Hasaranga is unfit to lead the T20 team is spot on. With his track record and behaviour, one must wonder what criteria were used to deem him suitable for the captaincy in the first place. Yet, in the world of Sri Lanka Cricket and the selectors, logic and reason often take the seat furthest at the back.
However, the Board and the selectors are now under pressure to rethink their strategy and may well be forced to remove Hasaranga ahead of the Indian series later this month. But the question is who will replace him? There’s vice-captain Charith Asalanka, who was Hasaranga’s skipper at schools and Sri Lanka U-19 level; and there’s Niroshan Dickwella. Even though Dickwella has not been part of the national team for a while, many believe with several changes expected in the team composition, he has made a strong case, not only to be a member of the team, but to take over the reins from Hasaranga.